C

Treatment Procedure ‘ Family Treatment Village

A. First Steps.

In spite of the above very basic emphasis, steps are also taken,
immeciately to lessen as soon as possible some of. the family's
most acute difficulties. Attention is focused on three main 7
symptoms:

1. The child's school problems.

2. The conflict situation in the family (which may have involved

serious mistreatment).

Easing of extremely acute conditions such as heavy use of

medicines ? insomnia and misuse of alcohol.
; The very structure of the Village, its programs and social controls
works immediately toward modifying these problems. The |
‘teachers in the Village school have a favourable ‘climate in which
to work. There are small classes in a total school situation
“Which does not separate out some of the students and place them
in special classes.
F amily conflict is lessened through the restructuring involved
7 ina move to the Village, and most important, through security
_gained by knowing that social control in the Village is clearly
directed towards protecting family members.
The chain of events leading to dissipation vith alcohol or drugs
is broken by the move to the Village and it is possible to ease the
symptom's strength. ' Such heip is necessary before the family |

can begin to co-operate in the program: